Blog: Perspectives

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The following is in the briefing paper. It highlights data that applies to SDG Goal Target 3.3 which states, “By 2030, end the epidemic of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.”

Marriage equality is a complex issue, with opponents and advocates across nations and political dispositions. In order to delve into the intricacies of the issue and understand it more fully, I will produce a three-part series of posts, each focusing on a particular aspect of global marriage equality. I will compare the variations of LGBTIQ human rights in countries with and without same-sex marriage or civil unions, discuss global backlash to recent gains in marriage equality, and the benefits and drawbacks of the institution of marriage itself.

In June, Thai Human Rights expert and law Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, the first-ever UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI IE), delivered his initial report to the 35th Session Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report was delivered in a joint session with the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Dr. Agnes Callamard directly after the formal address of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

Much like a butterfly effect, the activism by foreign lesbian activists during the 1995 Beijing conference brought into China concepts of ‘NGO-ization’, created learning opportunities for Chinese lesbian activists, and connected foreign lesbian activists with local lesbians. It inspired a generation of lesbians to consider strategic cooperation with the feminists working for the state apparatus and laid the groundwork for future engagements and collaborations.

As part of an ongoing effort to address domestic and family violence experienced by LGBTIQ people in the Philippines[1], Ging Cristobal of OutRight has been working with Clara Rita A. Padilla of EnGendeRights trained Quezon City (QC) Barangay service providers LGBTI-inclusive service intervention skills to address address domestic and family violence.

Although the Southeast Asian region has made vast strides in terms of economic development, it is still, as a collective, regressive and draconian in the promotion of civil liberties. Violations against minorities by state actors are most evident in the overt discrimination and lack of legislative protections for individuals whose sexual orientations and gender identities are non-conforming.

OutRight Action International honors and remembers the victims of the shooting on Latin Night at Pulse Club in Orlando one year ago. We are still deeply saddened by the loss of 49 lives and injuries to more than 50 others in the ISIS-claimed attack; an attack which was an act of hate and violence against LGBTIQ persons and our fundamental dignity.

On 21 May 2017 at 8PM, the city police, not Jakarta police, raided the Atlantis Gym. One hundred and forty-one men were rounded up as suspects under Jakarta’s anti-pornography laws. Since the raid, 126 of whom 3 were foreigners have been released. 10 have been charged under the anti-pornography laws of which 2 are female staff at the gym.

As part of the IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) celebration of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Philippines, Ging Cristobal of OutRight was invited to give a lecture to government agencies...